Seriously, we now have an electric chair in the house. OK, so its actually an electric wheel chair, but you have to admit the headline grabbed your attention didn't it ? It arrived on Friday & its quite a beauty. Four speeds, reclineable & you can raise & lower it so that Jude can reach stuff a bit higher. It apparently has a range of some 30 kilometers, which will let Jude visit all of her friends in town & even get as far as the supermarket if she wishes to. The only problem is, that the nice folk who brought it over from Hamilton left the battery charger behind, so as it only has a minimal charge in it, she can't really use it until they send the charger over on Monday.
Whispas, our new family member, is settling in very nicely. I finally dragged my sorry butt out to make up the bit of fence that I needed to shut off the back yard to keep her safe today. I looked round for my carpenters pencil to mark a bit of wood for the cut & here she is very solemnly holding it in her mouth. Why is it you never have a camera when you need it? She would be the most naturally inquisitive dog I think I have ever had anything to do with. Doesn't matter what you are doing, she wants to be a part of it. She is quite happy as well, to just lie in your lap & snore of an evening. It's going to be very difficult even to give her up for the couple of days needed to have her speyed, but I guess we will all get through it OK.
Tuesday, I am finally doing something about getting a top plate made so that I can actually chew properly again. Its going to be quite a novel experience for me. I forget how many years it is now since I have had a reasonable set of gnashers in my top jaw. Well, thats about it . Tomorrow I guess I might even mow the lawns. All this exercise definitely improves your outlook on life. Mostly
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
We've got a Dog !
Not just any dog, but a lovely little 2 year old female Dachsund. She has won a couple of trophy's at shows, but is too small for breeding so we are the lucky recipients. Her full name is Dacksford Wispas N Laughter, called Wispas. She is a good little mate who is bonding nicely with us already. She walks well & promises to be an utter joy. Now all we have to do is convince the cats of this...
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
How much is that doggy in the window?
I've decided that I need another dog in my life. Cats are fine, but you can't load them into the car & take them to the beach for a swim. Well I mean, you probably can but I don't think it would be a happy experience for any of the parties involved. I have been haunting Trade me & pets on the Net, but i think that i am at a real disadvantage not living in Auckland, because thats where most of them are & that's where they want them to stay. All i want is a smaller dog, preferably about 3 or 4 years old thats grown out of the stupid stage & doesn't chew stuff or pee on the carpets any more.
I may have found one at our local SPCA. He's a little miniature Foxie. He wandered into the council offices in Paeroa & effectively gave himself up. He's been in the pound for the requisite 7 days & is now up for adoption. He's getting his little nuts cut out & getting microchipped tomorrow, so I think I might take him on 7 days trial. It all depends on how he gets on with the Ginger Ninja's really. He's quite smart, so I don't think it will take him long if he doesn't already know that cats are bad juju.
Why do I want a dog ? Companionship mainly & an excuse to actually get out & do some exercise in the form of walking. We think this little man is about a year old, so he should be mostly over the stupid stage. Well anyway, I guess we will find out. There is another little dog we have been told about locally, but we haven't heard, so I guess thats not really a good sign. Time will tell anyway I guess..
I may have found one at our local SPCA. He's a little miniature Foxie. He wandered into the council offices in Paeroa & effectively gave himself up. He's been in the pound for the requisite 7 days & is now up for adoption. He's getting his little nuts cut out & getting microchipped tomorrow, so I think I might take him on 7 days trial. It all depends on how he gets on with the Ginger Ninja's really. He's quite smart, so I don't think it will take him long if he doesn't already know that cats are bad juju.
Why do I want a dog ? Companionship mainly & an excuse to actually get out & do some exercise in the form of walking. We think this little man is about a year old, so he should be mostly over the stupid stage. Well anyway, I guess we will find out. There is another little dog we have been told about locally, but we haven't heard, so I guess thats not really a good sign. Time will tell anyway I guess..
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Cough Please...
I think I caught it in Dunedin. Certainly my eldest son & his family all have it. A real shitty cough that you get for a week or so. It goes away, then comes back again just when you think you're fine. It's very debilitating in the end. I think I have had it back about 4 times & this time it really seems to have settled in. So much so that I went to the doc's today. He's given me a course of fast track anti biotics, so hopefully, that will clear things up. It's very difficult to enjoy retirement when all you want to do is sleep all day. At least I can do it without any guilt trips about letting a boss down by not being at work. That's one good thing I guess.
Meanwhile, Jude remains disgustingly healthy, albeit glued to the telly for the Commonwealth Games. I haven't watched much at all except for the seven's rugby. It's a principle for me. I find it scandalous that a country with so much grinding poverty & social problems can throw so much money at a feel good thing like the games. Anyway, normal service will resume tomorrow night... I can't wait... Sharpe, Sea Patrol......
We are going through the process of applying for funding to get our big bathroom converted to a proper wet area for Jude at the moment. Its quite a lengthy thing with lots of paperwork. Fortunately, our Occupational Therapist is a darling & very helpful, so fingers crossed I guess. Will let you know how we go.
It wasn't as much of an issue while we were away, but I am slowly coming to terms with the food situation, not having to buy so much in the way of grocries etc. The most important thing & also the hardest is actually making sure that I have at least one nutritious meal a day that includes the odd bit of greenery & fibre. I am getting there, eventually.
Meanwhile, Jude remains disgustingly healthy, albeit glued to the telly for the Commonwealth Games. I haven't watched much at all except for the seven's rugby. It's a principle for me. I find it scandalous that a country with so much grinding poverty & social problems can throw so much money at a feel good thing like the games. Anyway, normal service will resume tomorrow night... I can't wait... Sharpe, Sea Patrol......
We are going through the process of applying for funding to get our big bathroom converted to a proper wet area for Jude at the moment. Its quite a lengthy thing with lots of paperwork. Fortunately, our Occupational Therapist is a darling & very helpful, so fingers crossed I guess. Will let you know how we go.
It wasn't as much of an issue while we were away, but I am slowly coming to terms with the food situation, not having to buy so much in the way of grocries etc. The most important thing & also the hardest is actually making sure that I have at least one nutritious meal a day that includes the odd bit of greenery & fibre. I am getting there, eventually.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
I'm Retired. Do it yourself
I bought a Tee shirt some time ago with this message printed on it. half in jest it was. but it's slowly dawning on me that it is actually true. Well, the bit about being retired anyway. OK, so all it means is that I don't have to seek paid employment any more, or go through means testing, but effectively, thats it. Quite a sobering thought when it all starts to sink in. I don't feel old enough for it in a lot of respects & in others I feel way overdue. Now, what am I going to do with all this leisure ? Hmmmm... Ok, so there are lawns to mow, concreting to be done, gardens to weed, edges to be trimmed, Sherman to wash, housework to do & most importantly Jude to care for.. Hmmm... What'll I do first ? I dunno, maybe I should just think about it till tomorrow.. Yeah, & theres the garage to sort out & the courtyard to tidy.........
Oh yes !!! Its good to know that its not just silly old drunken buggers that fall down while running. This from this mornings Herald...
I feel her pain......
Oh yes !!! Its good to know that its not just silly old drunken buggers that fall down while running. This from this mornings Herald...
I feel her pain......
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Ground Control to Major Tom
Well, we have been home a couple of weeks or so now & had a weekend with the kids in Auckland for Jude's birthday which was good.. Well, its official. Jude is now registered as a superannuitant & I am registered as (get this!!) her underage partner ! Financially, we are a bit better off than we were but I guess the GST increase will make heavy inroads into this. All the bills are still here. Power & Phone demanding to be paid or else.. Doesn't matter that you have paid your bill early for the last 2 years or more, get behind when you are on holiday & they just about turn the Beadles loose on you. Oh yes. The rate bill is here as well. missed the rebate on that as well.
I suppose I didn't notice any gradual change being away, but Jude has deteriorated somewhat with her physical abilities & her energy levels, leaving more for me to do. I suppose its because I have had one of those bloody awful recurring colds with that hacking cough since we left Dunedin, but I don't feel up to much. By the time I catch up on the washing & housework I've had enough, so the stuff like lawns, weeding, sorting out the garage, washing Sherman etc., etc., just sorta take a back seat. meanwhile, my neighbor has gone fishing. I should envy him, but I don't. Too damn tired to worry. I guess I'll come right eventually. The situation isn't helped by Prime TV being taken over for the commonwealth games. I didn't realise how much of my evening TV is on Prime. I think I need to ring my old mate Hawkeye for a good old fashioned dose of harden the fuck up. That may help.
Oh yeah, Jude & I both had appointments with the Orthopaedics specialist on Thursday, her for her knee, me for my arm. The only solution for Judes knee is a complete replacement, but after talking to a friend that was there who had her knee done in May, she confirmed what she has already pretty much decided. The knee can stay as it is. Me ? I'm coming right, arm is healing nicely, it was better to leave it out of the sling rehabilitation wise & the chances of any complications are slim to remote. Oh, & it should stop hurting in another 2 or 3 months. Lesson learned.
I suppose I didn't notice any gradual change being away, but Jude has deteriorated somewhat with her physical abilities & her energy levels, leaving more for me to do. I suppose its because I have had one of those bloody awful recurring colds with that hacking cough since we left Dunedin, but I don't feel up to much. By the time I catch up on the washing & housework I've had enough, so the stuff like lawns, weeding, sorting out the garage, washing Sherman etc., etc., just sorta take a back seat. meanwhile, my neighbor has gone fishing. I should envy him, but I don't. Too damn tired to worry. I guess I'll come right eventually. The situation isn't helped by Prime TV being taken over for the commonwealth games. I didn't realise how much of my evening TV is on Prime. I think I need to ring my old mate Hawkeye for a good old fashioned dose of harden the fuck up. That may help.
Oh yeah, Jude & I both had appointments with the Orthopaedics specialist on Thursday, her for her knee, me for my arm. The only solution for Judes knee is a complete replacement, but after talking to a friend that was there who had her knee done in May, she confirmed what she has already pretty much decided. The knee can stay as it is. Me ? I'm coming right, arm is healing nicely, it was better to leave it out of the sling rehabilitation wise & the chances of any complications are slim to remote. Oh, & it should stop hurting in another 2 or 3 months. Lesson learned.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Happy Birthday my love
I felt like an axe murderer. Only home 5 days & here we are packing to leave again. OK, it was only for the weekend, but try & rationalise that to a very upset ginger cat watching you drive away. The occasion? Jude's 65th birthday last Sunday. Judes daughter, Sharon opted to put on a birthday party for her Mum. & she did it with style. We went up & stayed Sat. night with her youngest son Chris, & arrived rather like visiting royalty about 1100 am on Sunday. Needless to say, Jude had a ball. Christopher made, iced & decorated the cake for her.. Not bad for a bloke huh ?
Here's a few more pics of the day for you to enjoy....
So , that was it. A lovely weekend spent with dear family & friends with lots of tears of joy, especially from two ginger cats when we got home. For me the highlights of the weekend aside from the obvious one of Jude's happiness, was the look on Sharon's face when Jude showed her the celebrated tattoo.. Priceless. Even more so was Renee snuggling up to me on the sofa, giving me a hug & saying, "I love you Poppy." Money can't buy that one....
Here's a few more pics of the day for you to enjoy....
So , that was it. A lovely weekend spent with dear family & friends with lots of tears of joy, especially from two ginger cats when we got home. For me the highlights of the weekend aside from the obvious one of Jude's happiness, was the look on Sharon's face when Jude showed her the celebrated tattoo.. Priceless. Even more so was Renee snuggling up to me on the sofa, giving me a hug & saying, "I love you Poppy." Money can't buy that one....
In retrospect
Sadly, I didn't take an odometer reading before we left. Some simple addition based on the distance table on our trusty sheet map though, informs me that we have done at least 3500 km. This doesn't take into account the odd side trip & , to be fair, includes an approximation of distances involved from Haast to Jackson's Bay & West Port to Karamea, beyond & back. Still, give or take the odd (very odd sometimes) thousand k's or so, it's still a fair distance for a couple of oldies in a dated & elderly Isuzu Mu.
To be said in defence of Sherman, he never let us down on the road at all. Even starting first crank after standing in the snow for two days. The only problem we had was blowing a couple of radiator tubes, but to be fair, he waited till we were safely in Dunedin before that happened. I rather think that it was probably righteous indignation taking the form of a very mild protest at what he was being asked to do.
I think that if I was to pack again for a trip like this that I would take a lot less in the way of clothing. Some of the stuff we took didnt even come out of the bags. Soft bags are definitely the way to go as they pack a lot easier. Our system of one carry in, one reserve clothing & a combined bag for woolies worked well. Don't forget to include an empty bag to stow your washing in.
One thing we found is that all Motels now have full wet walkin shower facilities in at least one generally two of their units. don't be scared to ask for them. Motel owners by & large will go a very long way out of their way to make sure things are right for you.
Prescription medicines & specialist foods are a big consideration as well. Make sure you take more than enough. I ran out of my blood pressure tablets while away & it was a bit of a hassle getting them. If you have to do it, allow at least two days for hiccups. Find a friendly chemist in the neighborhood & ask if its OK. Then get his fax number to give to your doctor's receptionist to send it through to. Remember too that if it is repeat medicine, to only order a months worth, as repeats half a country away aren't really a lot of use. For Jude's Fortisip, our Chemist filled a 3 month scrip for us in one hit when I told her our plans. I also took anextra carton or two that we already had. Not wanting to run out, I also asked our Dr. for an extra months worth in the form of a scrip. This he was happy to do.
Take care of yourself when you are on the road. The most spine chilling moment for me of the whole trip was when I found out that a cast on my arm rendered my car insurance void. It's a dreadful feeling being stranded away from home especially when you are trying to give your darling the holiday of a lifetime. I opted not to wear the sling they gave me & to get rolling again as soon as we could. I would be lying if I said it was an easy road, especially with dire warnings of possible future need for surgery ringing in my ears. My rationale was that at least by that time, I would be home & have familiar support systems in place to be able to cope with it. Still, loading & unloading bags & wheelchairs with a bent wing isn't an easy call. Still, pain killers are your friend in that situation. It turns out that according to the Orthopaedics guy that I saw today, I did the right thing. Wearing a sling extends rehabilitation by another 2 to 3 months while you build your arm muscles up again & gain back the movement in your shoulder. Its apparently going to take a couple or three months for it to come right anyway, but at least I can care for Jude properly in the meantime.
One of the first things I did when we got home was put Jude on the scales. We were both shocked to find that she had lost another 10kg & subsequently, she has increased her Fortisip intake to 6 bottles a day. Time will tell if this is enough.
So here we are home again. Jude is happy as a sandboy with a heap of fond memories. I'm sore, hurt in places I didn't know I had from pushing a wheelchair round & absolutely exhausted.. Would I do it all again ? Hell yeah.. Well maybe in about 3 months when I have fully recovered & my arm stops hurting, but yes, with no hesitation at all.
Happiness is a warm bear home safe & sound.. Paddington would like to thank everybody for helping to give his Mum a wonderful holiday & lots of lovely memories.. It is time for a little bear to rest happily for a while now Thx, Bai XXXXXXXXXXXX
To be said in defence of Sherman, he never let us down on the road at all. Even starting first crank after standing in the snow for two days. The only problem we had was blowing a couple of radiator tubes, but to be fair, he waited till we were safely in Dunedin before that happened. I rather think that it was probably righteous indignation taking the form of a very mild protest at what he was being asked to do.
I think that if I was to pack again for a trip like this that I would take a lot less in the way of clothing. Some of the stuff we took didnt even come out of the bags. Soft bags are definitely the way to go as they pack a lot easier. Our system of one carry in, one reserve clothing & a combined bag for woolies worked well. Don't forget to include an empty bag to stow your washing in.
One thing we found is that all Motels now have full wet walkin shower facilities in at least one generally two of their units. don't be scared to ask for them. Motel owners by & large will go a very long way out of their way to make sure things are right for you.
Prescription medicines & specialist foods are a big consideration as well. Make sure you take more than enough. I ran out of my blood pressure tablets while away & it was a bit of a hassle getting them. If you have to do it, allow at least two days for hiccups. Find a friendly chemist in the neighborhood & ask if its OK. Then get his fax number to give to your doctor's receptionist to send it through to. Remember too that if it is repeat medicine, to only order a months worth, as repeats half a country away aren't really a lot of use. For Jude's Fortisip, our Chemist filled a 3 month scrip for us in one hit when I told her our plans. I also took anextra carton or two that we already had. Not wanting to run out, I also asked our Dr. for an extra months worth in the form of a scrip. This he was happy to do.
Take care of yourself when you are on the road. The most spine chilling moment for me of the whole trip was when I found out that a cast on my arm rendered my car insurance void. It's a dreadful feeling being stranded away from home especially when you are trying to give your darling the holiday of a lifetime. I opted not to wear the sling they gave me & to get rolling again as soon as we could. I would be lying if I said it was an easy road, especially with dire warnings of possible future need for surgery ringing in my ears. My rationale was that at least by that time, I would be home & have familiar support systems in place to be able to cope with it. Still, loading & unloading bags & wheelchairs with a bent wing isn't an easy call. Still, pain killers are your friend in that situation. It turns out that according to the Orthopaedics guy that I saw today, I did the right thing. Wearing a sling extends rehabilitation by another 2 to 3 months while you build your arm muscles up again & gain back the movement in your shoulder. Its apparently going to take a couple or three months for it to come right anyway, but at least I can care for Jude properly in the meantime.
One of the first things I did when we got home was put Jude on the scales. We were both shocked to find that she had lost another 10kg & subsequently, she has increased her Fortisip intake to 6 bottles a day. Time will tell if this is enough.
So here we are home again. Jude is happy as a sandboy with a heap of fond memories. I'm sore, hurt in places I didn't know I had from pushing a wheelchair round & absolutely exhausted.. Would I do it all again ? Hell yeah.. Well maybe in about 3 months when I have fully recovered & my arm stops hurting, but yes, with no hesitation at all.
Happiness is a warm bear home safe & sound.. Paddington would like to thank everybody for helping to give his Mum a wonderful holiday & lots of lovely memories.. It is time for a little bear to rest happily for a while now Thx, Bai XXXXXXXXXXXX
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Head down, Ass Up & Rolling.....
So here we are gassing up somewhere on the Kapiti Coast with a lot of K's in front of us. Shermans last refuelling was at Karamea, on the West Coast, so it was time he was topped up. Sunday morning went very fast, & it was with great reluctance that we parted company with Pete at round 1045 to go & check in for our 1200 crossing. Imagine our joy to see our old friend the Santa Rosa tied up at the wharf.
It didn't take us long get checked in, boarded & snugged down in our cabin in the drivers section. It was a very smooth crossing, the only hassles being the tribes of school kids swarming round yelling & giggling. I couldn't really sleep, but I dont know if it was the noise or just the excitement of setting foot on home turf again. Although the sea was calm, mainly due to a strong southerly wind holding it down it was a stirring trip. I found myself a sheltered spot on the lee side & sat & listened to the wind screaming in the rigging. I wouldn't want to be out in my boat in it.
All too soon & not soon enough, we were driving Sherman out of the cavernous vehicle hold & making our way back up to Silverstream for a welcome reunion with Heather & Robb. You guys rock. You have two wonderful children as well. Give them both a pat on the head from us both & take several for yourselves. We really appreciated everything you did for us.. Paddington wasn't all that certain about Turbo though..
So we left Rob & Heather about 0815 on the Monday morning. Allowing for fuel & comfort stops & the obligatory meal at the Turangi truck stop, we didn't make bad time. We elected to come home via Tokaanu, coming back onto SH1 at Tokoroa. Country roads with no towns & no police patrols.. We made it home by 4.15 pm, which I thought wasn't too shabby. We had texted ahead, so two friends were waiting to help me throw everything in the spare garage & park Sherman up for a well earned rest. The Ginger ninja's were very happy to see us home, didn't stop talking to us for a good half hour. How do I break it gently to them that we are off next weekend as well for Jude's 65th birthday? Oh well I'll (yawn) worry about that (yawn ) in a day or so....
It didn't take us long get checked in, boarded & snugged down in our cabin in the drivers section. It was a very smooth crossing, the only hassles being the tribes of school kids swarming round yelling & giggling. I couldn't really sleep, but I dont know if it was the noise or just the excitement of setting foot on home turf again. Although the sea was calm, mainly due to a strong southerly wind holding it down it was a stirring trip. I found myself a sheltered spot on the lee side & sat & listened to the wind screaming in the rigging. I wouldn't want to be out in my boat in it.
All too soon & not soon enough, we were driving Sherman out of the cavernous vehicle hold & making our way back up to Silverstream for a welcome reunion with Heather & Robb. You guys rock. You have two wonderful children as well. Give them both a pat on the head from us both & take several for yourselves. We really appreciated everything you did for us.. Paddington wasn't all that certain about Turbo though..
So we left Rob & Heather about 0815 on the Monday morning. Allowing for fuel & comfort stops & the obligatory meal at the Turangi truck stop, we didn't make bad time. We elected to come home via Tokaanu, coming back onto SH1 at Tokoroa. Country roads with no towns & no police patrols.. We made it home by 4.15 pm, which I thought wasn't too shabby. We had texted ahead, so two friends were waiting to help me throw everything in the spare garage & park Sherman up for a well earned rest. The Ginger ninja's were very happy to see us home, didn't stop talking to us for a good half hour. How do I break it gently to them that we are off next weekend as well for Jude's 65th birthday? Oh well I'll (yawn) worry about that (yawn ) in a day or so....
Homeward and Outward Bound
It's never easy coming to the realisation that your holiday is coming to a close, although when it has gone on for as long as ours has, there is more than a little yearning for home & familiar beds. Its not easy to leave though when your hosts at a motel are as friendly as old friends, coming out to see you off & taking time out from their busy schedule to talk to you for ten minutes or so, making it very difficult to leave..
However, leave we did, setting a course up the Buller Gorge. There is an almost mystical feeling knowing that you are going to be following a river almost to it's source, wondering what it must have been like for men such as Buller & Brunner who came through on foot, with only Maori tracks to guide them, not knowing how long they would be away or, indeed if they would even survive. By this time, we were feeling more than just a little maxed out when it came to rivers, mountains, stunning views etc., & had more or less decided not to worry about taking any more pictures, but there are always exceptions when you are down south, like this...
A place where the road has literally been carved back into the cliff, because there was no other alternative. Apparently, it is only just high enough for trucks & buses to negotiate safely. Then there is this...
A little island in the middle of the river weighed down under a mass of native bush. One can but only conjecture on the native wildlife living there.
So on we go. It is quite an amazing feeling getting to see places that we learned about in the history books, like Inangahua & Murchison, where there were such devastating earthquakes early on in our short but colourful history. Finally, we reached Richardson, where Jude fulfilled another of her Bucket list things, namely a visit to the Hoglund Glass Studios. Cameras are forbidden there, but you can see their work here . From there, we went into Nelson to look at the museum. Sadly, we got the wrong one. What she didn't tell me at the time was that she wanted to visit the one that had the wearable arts display. Never mind, the place was culturally uplifting anyway. Sadly, we had the only sour part of our trip in Nelson in the form of a verbal dispute over who had more right to a handicapped carspace. Us or a pigmentaciously disadvantaged gentleman in a lowrider Holden. Sorry Bro, you rather lowered the tone of what was otherwise a lovely city.
We were going to stay in Nelson, but a couple of phonecalls assured us of a bed at Peters place in Picton & also a berth on Blue Bridges 12.00 oclock crossing on the Sunday. Onya Blue Bridge, you guys rock when it comes to price, service, flexibility& good old fashioned hospitality. Dont change guys, you are awesome.
So we did the Nelson Picton leg via the Queen Charlotte road. Although it isn't the fastest way of getting there, it enabled me to cross something off MY bucket list, namely a visit to Anakiwa, specifically The Outward Bound School there. I was lucky enough to win a Lions Club sponsorship for a course in 1967. I found it to be a profoundly life changing experience & thoroughly enjoyed it. As luck would have it a new course was starting the day we were there. Course number 558. Mine was course 48.. My how time flies......
My old watch house, although in my time, it was a very small & draughty hut. They now have 4 of these ships cutters instead of the one we had when I went there. Lovely to see them being used & valued on a daily basis. They really are a beautiful craft
Anyway from there, it was on to Pete's place for our last night in the South Island. Cant think of anyone nicer to spend it with. It was lovely to meet you Peter & we enjoyed the hospitality. Thanks mate.
However, leave we did, setting a course up the Buller Gorge. There is an almost mystical feeling knowing that you are going to be following a river almost to it's source, wondering what it must have been like for men such as Buller & Brunner who came through on foot, with only Maori tracks to guide them, not knowing how long they would be away or, indeed if they would even survive. By this time, we were feeling more than just a little maxed out when it came to rivers, mountains, stunning views etc., & had more or less decided not to worry about taking any more pictures, but there are always exceptions when you are down south, like this...
A place where the road has literally been carved back into the cliff, because there was no other alternative. Apparently, it is only just high enough for trucks & buses to negotiate safely. Then there is this...
A little island in the middle of the river weighed down under a mass of native bush. One can but only conjecture on the native wildlife living there.So on we go. It is quite an amazing feeling getting to see places that we learned about in the history books, like Inangahua & Murchison, where there were such devastating earthquakes early on in our short but colourful history. Finally, we reached Richardson, where Jude fulfilled another of her Bucket list things, namely a visit to the Hoglund Glass Studios. Cameras are forbidden there, but you can see their work here . From there, we went into Nelson to look at the museum. Sadly, we got the wrong one. What she didn't tell me at the time was that she wanted to visit the one that had the wearable arts display. Never mind, the place was culturally uplifting anyway. Sadly, we had the only sour part of our trip in Nelson in the form of a verbal dispute over who had more right to a handicapped carspace. Us or a pigmentaciously disadvantaged gentleman in a lowrider Holden. Sorry Bro, you rather lowered the tone of what was otherwise a lovely city.
We were going to stay in Nelson, but a couple of phonecalls assured us of a bed at Peters place in Picton & also a berth on Blue Bridges 12.00 oclock crossing on the Sunday. Onya Blue Bridge, you guys rock when it comes to price, service, flexibility& good old fashioned hospitality. Dont change guys, you are awesome.
So we did the Nelson Picton leg via the Queen Charlotte road. Although it isn't the fastest way of getting there, it enabled me to cross something off MY bucket list, namely a visit to Anakiwa, specifically The Outward Bound School there. I was lucky enough to win a Lions Club sponsorship for a course in 1967. I found it to be a profoundly life changing experience & thoroughly enjoyed it. As luck would have it a new course was starting the day we were there. Course number 558. Mine was course 48.. My how time flies......
My old watch house, although in my time, it was a very small & draughty hut. They now have 4 of these ships cutters instead of the one we had when I went there. Lovely to see them being used & valued on a daily basis. They really are a beautiful craft
Anyway from there, it was on to Pete's place for our last night in the South Island. Cant think of anyone nicer to spend it with. It was lovely to meet you Peter & we enjoyed the hospitality. Thanks mate.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
So here we are in Westport
The weather seems to be falling into a bit of a pattern. Stunningly beautiful mornings followed by wind & rain in the afternoons. Our intentions for Westport are to go all the way to the end of the road past Karamea, which takes you to the start of the Heaphy Track. Then we were going to go up to Denniston & have a look at the mining relics & the coal mine that has been on fire for years. However, one thing I am learning about the South Island is not to be too ambitious about how much ground you can cover in one day. What looks like a snap on the map invariably turns out to have lots of hills & winding roads involved. Such was the case with Karamea. Its very pretty, but after 50 odd kilometers of narrow winding road up hill & down dale, you can get over it. Not that it isn't pretty, its just that you realise that you don't have any option but to return the same way.
You do however eventually reach the end of the road & believe me the trip is worth it. Aside from the scenery, the look on Jude's face was worth more than all the bad road in New Zealand put together.
Anyway, after all that driving & the fact that it was pelting down with rain as only it can on the Coast, we opted for the warmth of our motel unit. It was creeping on towards 4.00 o'clock anyway. Denniston et al can wait for another day. I think you would need a week to explore the area properly anyway..
You do however eventually reach the end of the road & believe me the trip is worth it. Aside from the scenery, the look on Jude's face was worth more than all the bad road in New Zealand put together.
Anyway, after all that driving & the fact that it was pelting down with rain as only it can on the Coast, we opted for the warmth of our motel unit. It was creeping on towards 4.00 o'clock anyway. Denniston et al can wait for another day. I think you would need a week to explore the area properly anyway..
Monday, October 04, 2010
Onwards, ever onwards
I'm learning as we go. All sorts of things. How tired Jude can get if we aren't off the road by 3.30 4ish so that she can have a snooze when we are booked in to a motel. I'm learning that there is a whole different set of muscles that you bring into play pushing a wheelchair. That it pays to reconnoitre before you go walking somewhere & make sure it is wheelchair friendly. That going sight seeing with a wheelchair is easier if you know how to handle it, not as a complete bunny learning on the job like me. Most importantly, if you put your hand in the wrong place when you're opening one, they bite hard. Another thing learned is that if your partner is too tired, or just plain physically unable to go look at something, bring them back a little keepsake. A rock, a bit of driftwood, or even a hand dipped in the water & rubbed onto a cheek can mean so much. Also meals. If your partner is, like Jude, totally dependent on Fortisip via a PEG tube, don't feel guilty about stopping somewhere for a leisurely lunch. It took a little persuading to get Jude to come with me, but at least she got to taste local delicacies even if it was only a little taste on the end of her finger. It means that you get a decent break from driving too, which is very important.
Greymouth was our next stop of any consequence. After Shanty Town of course. What a wonderful asset this is, providing not only a great tourist attraction, but also employment for local people, who were very helpful, even moving the train so that Jude could take the ride up through the bush.
This desperate pair in the local saloon weren't very cooperative however....
In Greymouth we were quite tickled to find this somewhat realistic piece of concrete sculpture on the foreshore.
Anyway, onwards & upwards as they say. Punakaiki is a good example of doing your homework. I went & checked at the visitors center to find that the circular path at the top has steps on one side of it, so you have to come back the way you went. Doesn't really matter, because you can get right round anyway by going back the way you came.
Anyway, after all this vigorous (on my part anyway) sight seeing, it was a pair of very weary but happy travellers who finally booked in to a motel in Westport for a couple of nights
Greymouth was our next stop of any consequence. After Shanty Town of course. What a wonderful asset this is, providing not only a great tourist attraction, but also employment for local people, who were very helpful, even moving the train so that Jude could take the ride up through the bush.
This desperate pair in the local saloon weren't very cooperative however....
In Greymouth we were quite tickled to find this somewhat realistic piece of concrete sculpture on the foreshore.
Anyway, onwards & upwards as they say. Punakaiki is a good example of doing your homework. I went & checked at the visitors center to find that the circular path at the top has steps on one side of it, so you have to come back the way you went. Doesn't really matter, because you can get right round anyway by going back the way you came.
Anyway, after all this vigorous (on my part anyway) sight seeing, it was a pair of very weary but happy travellers who finally booked in to a motel in Westport for a couple of nights
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